Naxals clash with cops in Gadchiroli

CHANDRAPUR/BHANDARA: The anti-naxal operation squad foiled an attack by naxals in Sironcha tehsil of Gadchiroli district near Andhra Pradesh-Maharashtra border on Tuesday.

According to the police, about 12 naxals, who were hiding in the forest near Ampetha village in Sironcha tehsil, started firing at the police team.

In the return police fired at them and the encounter lasted for about 20 minutes. However, the naxals managed to escape in the nearby jungle. No one was injured in the encounter, said police.

The police team have recovered a camera flash gun, nine batteries, a digital multi-meter, two radio sets, two pittus (bags), books and nine tarpaulin from the area.

Additional superintendent of police Anant Rokde immediately rushed to Sironcha and police have launched a massive combing operation in the area.

In yet another incident, naxals opened fire at a police party in Gondia district on Tuesday afternoon. No one was injured in the encounter. Police have seized naxal literature and other materials from the spot.

Meanwhile, in the wake of a proposed bandh call, the police officials have sounded a red alert in naxal-infested areas. All the precautionary measures have been taken to prevent any untoward incident, said a senior police official.